Union Cabinet Gives Approval for Bills on Simultaneous Polls (ONOE)

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity

In News

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) plan.
  • Draft legislation will be introduced in the Parliament, potentially during the ongoing Winter Session.

What is One Nation, One Election?

• It means to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha (Lower house of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies, essentially holding them all at the same time. 
• It aims to:
  • Reduce the frequency of elections.
  • Streamline governance.
  • Minimize electoral expenditure and disruption.

Proposed Amendments to Articles

• 82A: To facilitate delimitation for synchronized elections.
• 83(2): To amend the tenure of Lok Sabha and assemblies.
• 327: To give Parliament the power to make provisions for simultaneous elections.
• New Article 324A: To empower the Election Commission to conduct synchronized elections.

Ram Nath Kovind Committee Recommendations

• The committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, made 11 key recommendations after extensive consensus-building efforts:
  • Reinstating Simultaneous Elections: Frequent elections disrupt the economy, polity, and society. Synchronizing elections will alleviate this burden.
  • Phased Implementation: Phase 1: Align Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
  • Phase 2: Synchronize municipal and panchayat elections within 100 days of general elections.
  • Appointed Date for Synchronization: Post-general elections, the President to notify the date for the first Lok Sabha session as the “appointed date” to maintain alignment.
  • Shortened Terms for State Assemblies: Newly-formed state assemblies will have adjusted terms to synchronize with the next Lok Sabha elections.
  • Implementation Group: A dedicated group to oversee and ensure effective execution of ONOE reforms.
  • Constitutional Amendments: Introduce Article 324A to enable synchronized elections for panchayats and municipalities.
    • Amend Article 325 to establish a unified voter roll and photo ID system for all elections.
  • Handling Hung Houses: In case of a hung house or no-confidence motion, elections will be held, but the newly-elected Lok Sabha or state assembly will serve only the remaining term.
  • Election Equipment Readiness: The Election Commission of India (ECI) should ensure the procurement of adequate EVMs and VVPATs to manage synchronized elections efficiently.
  • Unified Voter Roll and ID System: A single voter roll and ID system for all elections, subject to constitutional amendments and state ratification.
  • Efficient Electoral Management: Advanced planning and robust infrastructure development to ensure smooth execution of simultaneous elections.
  • Continued Synchronization: All future elections will align with the Lok Sabha schedule unless dissolved earlier.

Need for ONOE

• Reduced Expenditure: Holding simultaneous elections could significantly reduce the financial burden on the exchequer and political parties.
• Streamlined Governance: Frequent elections disrupt governance as the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect, restricting policy announcements and development work. ONOE could provide more stability and continuity in governance.
• Improved Voter Turnout: A single election cycle might increase voter participation as it reduces voter fatigue and simplifies the electoral process.
• Reduced Disruption: Minimizes disruption to normal life and economic activity caused by frequent elections.
• Manage Security Concerns: A lot of Security forces are deployed on election time that can be efficiently used. 

Key Challenges and Concerns

• Constitutional Amendments: Implementing ONOE requires significant amendments to the Constitution, which could be politically challenging.
• Federalism: Critics argue that ONOE could undermine India’s federal structure by centralizing electoral power and reducing the importance of state-level issues.
• Regional Diversity: India’s diverse political landscape and regional aspirations could be overshadowed by national issues in a synchronized election cycle.
• Logistical Complexity: Conducting simultaneous elections across a vast and diverse country like India poses significant logistical challenges for the Election Commission.

Way Forward

• Wider Consultations: Engage with all stakeholders, including political parties, states, and the public, to build consensus.
• Pilot Implementation: Test ONOE at smaller scales to identify challenges and refine the framework.
• Infrastructure Development: Equip the ECI with resources, technology, and personnel for efficient execution.

Source: HT